Door-plate



' (No Model.)

G. R. HARRIS.

DOOR PLATE.

N0. 406,729. Patented July 9,1889.

'\. PETERS, Phnio-Liihagnpher, Wahinglon. .C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES R. HARRIS, OF VVILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

DOOR-PLATE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 406,729, dated July 9, 1889.

Application filed Mpy 22, 1888. Serial No. 274,875. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. HARRIS, of Williamsport, in the county of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania,l1ave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door- Plates; and I do hereby declare the following necting-pieces which allow the two parts of the frame proper to be adjusted in any desired relation to each other, according to the number of letters in the name; second, the combination, with the two parts of the frame and the connecting-pieces by which they are adjustably united, of the separate and distinct letter and division plates out of which the name is formed, and which are adapted to be removably placed in the frame, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The objects of my invention are to provide an adjustable frame to receive independent letters used in making names for doors, so that the same frame can be used for names of different lengths, and thus avoid the necessity of having to make a separate frame for each name, and to construct the frame and the letters of light sheet metal, so as to avoid all necessity for casting any of the parts.

Figure 1 is a front elevationof a name or door plate embodying my invention. Fig. 2 isaperspective of one of the ends of the frame and the two connecting-pieces. Fig. 3 is a vertical section.

A represents the two parts of the frame, which are preferably made of sheet metal, and which are given any ornamental shape or finish that may be preferred. The inner edges of each one of these parts of the frame are bent or turned inward, as shown at B, so as to form guides or ways upon which the letterplates 0 and division-plates D, having their edges correspondingly bent, are made to slide. The two parts A of the frame are connected each of the connecting-pieces are turned inward, so as to receive the two corresponding edges of the parts of the frame, and thus form guides or ways upon which the two parts'of the frame can freely move back and forth. The two parts of the frame are connected together by means of the connecting-pieces F, so that they can be adjusted in length according to the number of letters in thename.

which is to be placed in it, and thus adapt each frame for names of different lengths and avoid the necessity of having to make a frame of a length proportioned to the name it is to bear.

The two parts of the frame, the connectingpieces, the letter and division plates all being made of sheet metal, it will be readily seen that a very ornamental and beautiful name-plate can be produced fora very small price, compared to the usual cast or engraved plates, and with the additional advantage that all of the name-plates constructed as here shown and described can be adapted for names of different lengths, the only expense connected with a change of name being the purchase of whatever additional letters are needed. The inner edges of the connecting-pieces being turned inward in the same manner as the inner edges of the two parts of the frame, the letters fit the connecting-pieces the same as they do the two parts of thevframe itself.

\Vhile sheet metal, which can be made into any desired shape, is preferred for making the frame, the connecting parts, and the letter and division plates, yet much heavier metal may be used, if so desired, and given any finish that may be preferred. I do not limit my invention to the use of sheet metal, although this will be found to be the cheapest and to answer all ordinary purposes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A door-plate formed of two or more parts and which are made extensible, according to the length of the name, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of thetwo end pieces,

central connecting-pieces for uniting the end pieces together and upon which the end pieces can be adjusted in relation to each other, and the letter and division plates out of which the name is formed, substantially as shown.

3. The combination of the end pieces of the frame and the connecting -pieces by which they are adjustably united, the connectingpieces being adapted to receive and hold the letter and division plates the same as the end pieces, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the end pieces of the frame having their inner edges turned inward, the connecting-pieces having both their In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES R. HARRIS.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN GAFEEY, G. B. M. METZGER. 

